MS in Nursing: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Be the Difference in Mental Health Care
Step into a vital role in the future of healthcare with Antioch University’s MS in Nursing: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. Designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses, this flexible, online degree prepares you to deliver trauma-informed, holistic psychiatric care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
A Justice-Focused Approach to Psychiatric Nurse Practice
Through a blend of evidence-based coursework and hands-on clinical experiences in your local community, you’ll gain the skills to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions while promoting wellness, resilience, and recovery. Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification and step confidently into advanced practice roles that make a difference in the lives of those navigating mental illness, trauma, and behavioral health challenges.
Program Overview
Antioch’s PMHNP program equips advanced practice nurses with the knowledge, clinical expertise, and leadership mindset needed to address the growing demand for mental healthcare across diverse settings. Rooted in Antioch’s mission to advance social, racial, and health justice, the curriculum emphasizes culturally responsive, equitable care that centers the needs of underserved communities.
You’ll be prepared to:
- Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments
- Develop and manage individualized treatment plans
- Provide therapeutic and pharmacologic interventions
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across care environments
- Promote health equity and reduce stigma through advocacy and education
Flexible online learning allows you to study on your schedule, while clinical placements—arranged in collaboration with faculty—are completed in your home community. Clinical experiences span psychiatric wellness, therapy, and the diagnosis and management of mental illness across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Graduates earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and become eligible to sit for the PMHNP board certification through the ANCC or the AANP exam through the AANPCB. Students may choose to continue seamlessly into Antioch’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program or return within five years to complete it.
The Master's degree program in nursing at Antioch University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
Licensure
This program is designed to lead to state licensure.
Elevating Your Nursing Career with a Proven Legacy
As Proud Co-Founder of the Coalition for the Common Good, Antioch University offers a program with a rich tradition of excellence, honed over 45 years by dedicated nursing professionals. Formerly anchored at Otterbein University, this initiative now thrives at Antioch, continuing a legacy of quality and practical expertise. Benefit from our flexible, student-centered graduate model, designed to empower you with clinical confidence and personalized support, ensuring you're prepared to excel in your nursing practice.
Degree Requirements
2 years
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are in high demand as mental health becomes a growing national priority. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioner employment is projected to grow 46% from 2023 to 2033—a rate far above average. This growth is fueled by rising mental health needs, provider shortages, and a push for more accessible care.
PMHNPs play a critical role in expanding access to psychiatric services across a wide range of care settings, including:
- Private practice
- Substance use disorder treatment centers
- Community mental health clinics
- Correctional and extended care facilities
- Integrated behavioral health and primary care settings
- Inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units
- Consultation-liaison roles in hospitals
With competitive salaries and growing autonomy, the PMHNP role offers a meaningful, high-impact career path for nurses ready to lead the future of mental healthcare.
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing and relevant fields of study as a basis for an advanced nursing role for diverse populations.
- Use the nursing process to perform the independent, collaborative, multifaceted functions of an advanced nursing role to optimize healthcare outcomes that advance health equity and lead to positive change.
- Demonstrate critical thinking when making decisions regarding the delivery of high-quality, equitable, cost-effective, culturally relevant healthcare to individuals and populations.
- Analyze the legal, political, ethical, financial, and professional functions of advanced nursing roles and how those aspects affect the community and individuals with an emphasis on marginalized populations.
- Examine the implications of healthcare issues, healthcare delivery systems, and informatics on nursing and equitable healthcare delivery to all.
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing roles through advocacy for all and change management within the healthcare delivery system.
- Integrate caring behaviors and patterns into advanced nursing roles.
- Apply the body of nursing knowledge through systematic inquiry, professional standards of care, and evidence-based practice that foster social justice in the health promotion and disease management for marginalized populations.
Faculty Spotlights
Diane White, PhD, RN
Dean
Regina Prusinski, DNP, CPNP-AC, FNP-BC
Chair
Kelly Drifmeyer, MLS, MM
Research and Instruction Librarian
Deana Batross, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Director
How to Apply
Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- A current, valid, and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the U.S. and in the state where clinical experiences will be conducted. In addition, an applicant must not have had a previous revocation, denial, suspension, or restriction of their license from any state or country.
- Minimum of one (1) year paid clinical work experience within the past three years as a Registered Nurse before the application deadline, documented on the submitted resume. Clinical work experience, including direct care in a public health, community, hospital, or ambulatory care setting that serves patients across the life span, is recommended.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study.
- A blended cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previous coursework on the submitted transcripts;
- A Science GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale comprising grades in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, statistics, and chemistry courses;
- Completion of an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better; and
- Positive professional recommendations.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals, evidenced by the faculty interview, with the applicant’s goals congruent with the objectives and resources of the Antioch University Department of Nursing.
Application Requirements
- Complete the online admissions application, including:
- Professional resume. Also include leadership activities, scholastic awards, nursing organizational memberships, and community service, as applicable.
- Evidence of licensure and certification, if any. Include professional licensure numbers and the licensing state, and a copy of the certificate issued by your national board certification body. The Graduate School will verify licensure and certification, which will be added to the student's file.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned a degree or certificate (A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred). Email to [email protected] or mail to: Antioch University, Admissions Office, 900 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
- Three letters of recommendation are required from people who are in a position to evaluate your professional (e.g., clinical supervisor, Peer (RN), other clinician, and academic (e.g. professor) work. The person making the recommendation may not be related to you.
- Interview with the Nursing Program faculty if requested. This interview will be conducted via Zoom (video conferencing).
- Students must submit documentation of meeting health requirements – including completion of the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) curriculum – before starting classes, and must submit documentation of keeping health requirements current throughout their course of study.
All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.
Application Deadlines
| Semester | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Spring | November 1 |
| Fall | July 1 |
| Please review the Academic Calendar for additional details. | |
If you have any questions during the process, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Our faculty and staff are here to assist you throughout the application process.
Financial Aid
Many students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public, and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants – are right for you. Our staff is here to help you so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program.
Antioch University is proud to partner with several schools and employers to offer scholarships and/or special educational benefits to employees, students, and alumni of select partner institutions. To learn more about these scholarships and to find out if you are eligible, talk with Admissions.
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